Slide carrier



E. S. PORTER SLIDE CARRIER Jan. 24, 1928.

Filed June 21, 1924 avwentoz Y E ow/n 6. Par/en 351 Patented Jan. 24, 1928 UNITED'STATES EDWIN s. PORTER, or ew YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE PRECISION MACHINE me, or NEW YORK, N. Y.',.A CORPORATION on NEW YORK.

PATENT OFFICE;

SLIDE CARRIER.

Application filed June 21, 1924. Serial No. 721,384.

a This invention relates to a novel and imoroved holder or carrier for su ortin and l P z:

special features of a slide holder that insure safer operation, greater convenience in operation, and generally to improve devices of this nature.

lVhile, I have herein disclosed and described the several features of my improved carrier as being incorporated in a carrier constructed or enlarged to include means to hold condenser lenses and means for holding the carrier to the projection machine lamp house, it is to be understood that these features may be incorporated in any slide holder or carrier that may be mounted in any desired position with reference to a projection lamp.

The main object of my invention is to provide an improved holder, or carrier for F slides or announcement plates and to so construct the carrier that it is capable of being mounted in a position not to interfere with other operations of the projecting machine, and further to provide a carrier that permits convenient operation of changing slides when the operator is standing on either side of the machine.

- a manner that makes the change unnoticeable to. the audience and still not cause damage to the slides by sudden and complete stopping after the slides have been setin motion and to accomplish this last. named operation without scratching or marring the slides.

A particular object offlthis invention is to provide a design of slide carrier that may be built in or incorporated in a particular part of the lamp house of a motion picture machine and to have embodied therein all of the advantageous features of my invention.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will beappreciated as the detailed description set forth below is read.

Heretofore it has been usual to provide stereopticon lanterns and, motion picture projecting machines with slide carriers which operate horizontally. Each of such carriers is constructed to receive two slides and is moved back and forth so that one slide is in front of the projecting lamp while the slide which has been projected is being replaced by a new slide. Slide carriersof this construction extend beyond the sides of the lamp house of these machines and thus interfere with other operations of the machlne.

Other types of slide carriers have been de 1 slides instead of a horizontal movement,

Constructions of this nature are shown in 1 the Muybridge Patent 251,127 and Schwannausser Patent 1,233,407. The constructions disclosed in both of these patents have the disadvantage of allowing twoslides to drop and then be brought to a sudden stop after the lowermost slide has been removed. This operation is detrimental to the slides as this rough usage breaks andcracks them. The Schwanhausser device, however, provides a spring near the base of the carrier for positively engaging the slides as they pass to the. bottom of the carrier for the specific purpose of reducing the speed of movement. The lower part of Schwanhaussers carrier is enclosed and therefore this spring does not act as a guide. Such a positive engagement of the face of the slide, it has been found, scratches and mars the slide and does not satisfactorily reduce the speed.

My novel device is an improvement 011 the constructions herein noted and operates in such a satisfactory manner as to eliminate the above noted disadvantages. It has been found that my improved slide carrier is advantageous in its operation for it permits the operator to change the slides from either side of the machine, and gives the best possible results when the machine is materially tilted as is usually the case when the machine or lantern is positioned near the roof of a theatre or hall. 1

' The preferred embodiment of my invention is herein illustrated in the accompany ing drawings as being provided with lens carrying attachment and means for aflixing the carrier to the lamp hopsc of a motion picture projecting machine, and as thus constructed,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my improved slide carrier; v

Fig. 2 is a front View of the carrier showing 3 slides in position; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawin 1 pro to construct my improved earlier by providing a back plate l and a front plate which may be readily assembled on the l:. plate by any suitable means sum as sci.v 1-, In the back plate I n'eiterably provide a channel a by 'lorn'iing flanges The l motion oi the back plate is ol' sullirieot length to accommodate three. slides (3 "t" and 8 as clearly illustrated in Figs. "J and I}. This construction permits the n'tiddle plate 7 to register with a suitable opening 5) in the back plate and 9 in the front plate at to be 1n the path of light rays of a lantern thereby causing the projection ol the slide onto a screen.

The front plate 2 carries a shield it) For the light and the back plate I. is provider with projecting piece-s 11 which receive an: hold condenser lenses. The barlc plate is usually constructed in a manner which p inits the carrier to be suitably mounted on the lamp house of a motion picture projecting machine or a stereopticon lantern, and I have herein shown the back plate as pro vided with an extension 12 having ears 1.53 for pivotally mounting the carrier on the lamp house. The carrier is also provided with extension 14L having flanges 15 which engage a binding arm to hold the carrier and lenses in proper position on the lamp house.

The carrier is constructed so. that provided with or by reason oi its par construction forms an opening 16 in its :t'ront side near the base thereof. This opening permits the removal of the lowermost slide. and it is preferred that the height of this opening be less than the height ol one o E? the slides. Thus a certain portion o'l" my improved carrier, i. e.. the lower pari: ot' the front, plate, performs the lunctirut oi main taining the lowermost plate in position while one slide is being projected. The rbannel formation in the back plate i uch that the lower end thereof closed except lior a. suit-- able opening 17 which extends part: way u p the back plate from the base thereof. This opening is known as the finger open'ng; and permits an operator to grasp the lowermost slide or plate and remove the same from the carrier. This opening may be mad;- at any desired position but I prefer to have the same made in the middle of the base and back plate so that it will be. convenient for the operator to remove the lowermost slide from either aide ot' the machine. The same advantage ol operation may be obtained by cutting away tie corners at the bottom oi baclt plate to allow the thumb and fore- :lingtn to grasp either bottom corner oi" the lowern'iost plate and renujlre the some from the carrier.

At the base of the carrier I prefer to pro vide a suitable platform to for supporting the slides in their vertical p :ions one above another and have so positioned this platl'orm that it lies in a vertical plane which l through. the longer one; ol the Filltlthi. l l hile l: have shown this platl'orio a sep arate member attached to back plate t it to to be understood that such a platl'ornt may be provided by forming a llange on the bottom or bare ot haelr plate I. Alto this platl'orm may be tirade oiti' any suitable material and it desired the malt .ial my be soniewhat resilient in order to absorb some of the be slides as they drop onto the platter-m but not to harev rullieient springitress to cause the slides to rebound to rizeh an extent as will be noticeable on the screen. By providing the opeoin l? the platl orni le divided into two set-t'iona t) and The base ot the carrier heretolore i't =l'cr1'e(l to is the lower portion or bottom o l the slide earricr, and this portion prelerabl r eonipl the phi lorm til l'ornted by the sect'ioin, s. and ill tihereol and that part of plate '1 to which the platform rertiom are attached. It is to be understood. however. as nottul above, that the platlorm id and the lulttom end of plate l may be. tot-med integrally thereby forming a unit base.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the slides are vert cal y held in the carrier and that both t'llgtf'i ol each elide are ruided 'l rom the top to the bottom o!" the carrier as the side edges or" the channel are preferably closed from top to base. ztlro that a suitable platl'orm is provided at the bat-c oi the rarrier 'l'or Hltlllltllillttl' the slidein proper 'vertiral ponition and that this platl'orm ruirmall v immovable from the carrier, although in ea e oi repair; this prejferred 'lorn'i oi platform out be renun'rrl by removing screws l i'hile 1 have also herein described a sperilir form and (on struction ot a carrier it will be noted that the most e seiutia are, a suitable channel for re eivi; the slidee in vertical relation to one another. ll llt ltir tor the sides of the slides and a suitable plati'lorm lor suppru'tting the slide in their normal position and an advantageous (.ll-Wlllllti' in the front side at the carrier to permit the ltlwi'ofnuist' slide to be removed. In addition I have provithul a proper o lening so that the slides more be readily grasped to be removed.

Thus it is my intention to provide and claim a suitable i' carrier which has the above features which combine to make my ill improved slidecarrier more easily and safely operated. The preferred construction illustrated holds and guides three slides but it is tobe understood that it may be constructed to carry a larger number of slides.

In removing the lowermost slide so that a change may be made from one slide to another, the operator grasps the slide by placing his finger in finger opening 17 and in engagement with the back of the slide and by placing his thumb on the front of the slide. Vi ith this grasp he oscillates the bot tom of the slide to remove the same from platform 18 and then he draws the slide downwardly from the carrier. In so doing the top edge of the slide is maintained in the vertical plane of the slides until this edge arrives at a position near said platform when the slide is drawn clear of the carrier. For purposes of convenience and in order to make sure that the slides will'not drop from the carrier I provide a suitable guide means to engage the front of the slide at some definite position so that the bottom edge of the slide dropping will be guided onto platform 18. A preferred guiding means is illustrated in the form of springs 23 which are usually carried by front plate 2 and are shown as engaging the slide near the edges thereof. If desired. the slides may be further placed to the edges of thechannel so that they will engage only a small portion of the slide. IVhen desirable, a further resilient guide means in the form of springs 2% may be provided to engage the slide at a point near its bottom edge. These resilient guides 24 operate somewhat to hold he top edge of the slide being removed in the vertical plane of the slides. hen the machine or lantern in operation is tilted considerably the spring members 28 positively guide the slides so that the bottomedge of the dropping slide 'will engage the plat form 18. However, when the machine is not tilted to resilient guide means 23 and 2% do not perform any particular useful functions unless it is to maintain the top edge of a slide being removed in the vertical plane of the remaining slides.

Illi'lllS preferred construction of carrier whereby the slide is removed from the front side of the carrier, it will be noted that the dropping of slides 6 and 7 will be completed in a manner which prevents a rebounding of the slides and in doing so it materially reduces their speedsof movement which has heretofore been the main cause of breaking and cracking of the slides. This is accomplished for the reason that the top edge of the lowermost slide remains in contact with the bottom edge of slide 7 until slide 7 is nearly into its normal position in the bottom of the slide carrier for an engagement with platform 18. l Vith slight practice it will be seen that the lowermost slide may be removed at a speed which permits slide 6 to be brought into projecting position in front of openings 9 and 9 without the ad dience appreciating the change and without having the slide '7 moving at its maximum speed just before it engages platform 18.

' It will be seen from the above description that my improved'slide carrier hasmany advantages. Particularly my improved carrieris constructed. to permit operation from either side of-the machine and is so con-- structedas to carry other accessories such as condenser lenses, and thus I eliminate having a separate carrier for a motion picture projecting machine as has heretofore been the method of assembly. However, I wish it to be understood that the essential features of my invention may be incorporated in a slide holder which may be sepa- 'ately attached to a lantern or projecting machine.

It will be understood that while I have here dos ribed in detail a particular embodiment of my invention for purposes of full disclosures, and some detailed features which I am specifically claiming for a special advantage, many changes and m0dilications may be made in theparticular construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the broad scope of my invention which is outlined in the sub-joined claims.

vVhat I claim is z-- 1. A slide carrier constructed to support a plurality of slides vertically positioned one above another, said carrier comprising a front plate a back plate spaced apart from said front plate-to form a channel for the slides,- and guides for the side edges of the slides, said plates being provided with openings which register to permit projection of the slides, said back plate having a platform at its base for supporting the slides, said front plate being of less length than the back plate to thereby provide the base of the carrier a front opening through which the lowermost slide may be withdrawn by moving the bottom edge thereof outward from the back plate and then pulling the slide down w ar d.

2. A slide carrier constructed to support a plurality of slides vertically positioned one above another, said carrier comprising a front plate, a back plate spaced apart from said front plate to forma channel for the slides, and guides extending from the top of the back plate to the platform at the base thereof, said plates being provided with openings which register to permit projection of the slides said back plate having a platform at its base for supporting the slides, said f ont plate being of less length than the bacl: plate to thereby provide at the base. of the carrier a front opening through which the lowermost slide may be withdrawn.

A slide carrier constructed. to support a plurality oi? slides vertically positioned one above another, said carrier comprising a front plate, a baclc plate spaced apart from said, ilrontz plate to :l'orm a channel for the slides, and guides tor the side edges ol? the slides, said plates being provided with openings which register to permit projection oi. the slides, said back plate having; a plat'forn'i at its base tor SHPPOItlIUI the slides, said front plate being of les length than the back plate to thercbjy provide at the base of the carrier a front opening through which the lowermost slide may be witlnlrawn, said front opening beingof less height than the height of one of the slides.

Ll?- A slide carrier constructed to support a plurality of slides vertically positioned one above another, said carrier comprising a front plate, a back plate spared apart from said front plate to form a channel for the slides, and guides "for the side edges ol the slides, said plates being provided with openings which register to permit pro ection of the slides, said back plate having a platform at its base :tor su 'iporting the slides, and having an opening formed in said batrl: plate for permitting an operatoids lingers to grasp the lowermost slide and more the .ame from the platform. said Front 'iilate being; of less length than the bael: plate to thereht provide at the base of the carrier a front opening through which the lowermost slide may be witln lrawn.

5. A slide carrier eons-trnetocl to support a plurality of slides vertically positioned one above another, said carrier comprising a front plate, a back plate spared apart from said front plate to form a channel for the slides, and guides for the side edges ot the slides, said, plates being provided with ope! inns whirh register to permit projection of the slides, said back plate having); a plat'torm at its base for su 'iporting the slides, and having a linger opening midway between said guides for permitting the operators lingers to grasp the lowermost slide, said 'lront plate being of less length than the hael; plate to thereby provide at base of the carrier a front opening through which the lOWCllllOSl? slide may be withdrawn by moving the bottom edge thereof ontunrd from said bael: plate and then pulling; the slide downward.

(l. A slide carrier (:(mstrlurted to support a plurality of slides vertically positioned one above another, said carrier comprising a front plate, a back plate spaced apart from said front plate to form a channel to! the slides, guides for engaging: the side edges of the slides, said plates being provided with opeuing gs which register to permit projertion oli' the slides, said bael; plate lmvi'na a platform at its base for supporting the slides, said front plate being of less length than the bark plate to thereby provide at the near/4134a lJtlt-it} o if the :arrier a front opening, of less height than the height of one oil the Slides, said opening adapted to permit:- the Withdrawal outward ot' the lowermost lide, and a spring for holding the lowermost slide in tion on said plzltl'orm.

slide earrier constructed to support a plui al 3 of slides vertically positioned one aliot'o another, said carrier comprising a :l'ront plate, a baelq plate spaced apart from said 'lfront plate to form a rhannel for the slides, guides {or engaging the side edges oi the slides. said plate being provided with openings which register to permit projertion ol? the slides. said barl; plate having a platform at its base tor supporting, the slides, said lfront plate being of less length than the bael plate to thereby provide at the base oi. the earrier a front opening of less hei ht than the height ot one ot the slides, said opening adapted to permit the Withdrawal outward o l? the lowermost slide, and n s attired to :al front plate near the maintain the same on said platform, said sprina's adaptral to be temporarily moved out 3 tlti and lowermost slide is removed iron! the carrier.

8. it slide (Jilll'lffl eonstrrurted to support a plurality ol? slides vertically one almve another. said carrier having an ()lllijlllllg to permit light rays to pass through one of said slides for projecting the same and having another opening in the trout thereof near its base to permit the lowermost slide to be witlnlra'wn, means at the base of said carrier for normally supporting said slides, and a guiding means assoc'iated with said carrier and extending into the said front opening for guiding" a slide to normal supporting posllirm on said slu porting means during the rcn'ioval of the lowern'iost slide.

.9. it slide carrier construrtral to hold and guide aplurality of slides vertioally one abore anoihrn'. said carrier having an opening to permit light rays to pass through one oi the slides for proieet'in r the same and having); another opening in the front thereof near the base to permit the lmrernmst slide to be withdrawn, a platform at the base of said rarrior for supporting said slides, and a. resilient nuidingr means for engaging the front surlm'e of a slide for guiding the same on to said pl: tl'orm during; the removal of the lowermost slide.

10. A slide carrier constructed to sru'iport and guide. a plurality oi slides vertically one abore another, said carrier harm; an open ing to permit: light rays to pass through one ot said slides for pro grrting the snare and lillYillllf another opening in the trontt thereof near its base to permit the lowermost slide to be witlulrawn, said carrier being lurther 1uorided with a third opening which formed in the back thereof and which exliltl tends through the base, said opening permitting operators fingers to grasp the l wermost slide and remove the same from said carrier, a platform at the base of said carrier and in line with said slides for supporting them, and a resilient guiding means for engaging the front surface of a slide for guiding the same on to said platform during the removal of the lowermost slide. I 11. A slide carrier constructed to support and guide a plurality of slides vertically one above another saidcarrier having an opening to permit light. rays to pass through one of said slides for projecting the same, said carrier also being provided with an opening in the front thereof near its base to permit the lowermost slide to be withdrawn and having another opening permittingan oper ators fingers to grasp the lowermost slide and remove the same from said carrier, and springs carried by the carrier and adapted to engage the front surface of a slide as it moves on to said platform, said springs being positioned in pairs so as to engage the slides near their edges and at two different heights above said platform.

12. A slide carrier consisting of a back plate having a channel formed therein for receiving slides one above another. and a front plate assembled with said back plate over said channel to hold and guide said slides, said back plate extending below said front plate forming an opening through which the lowermost slide may be withdrawn from said carrier, a platform at the base of said back plate for supporting said slides and being positioned in a plane pass ingthrough said slides, said carrier having an opening in the back plate at the base thereof to permit the thumb and finger of an operator to grasp the lowermost plate to oscillate the bottom thereof off from said plat-form.

13. A slide carrier consisting of a back plate having a channel formed therein to receive and guide projection slides, and afront plate assembled on said back plate and in front of said channel, said back plate being providedivith side extensions to fix said plate to a lamp house, grooved pieces carrier, and spring means carried by said front plate for engaging aslide as it drops to said platform thereby guiding the plate on to said platform.

EDWIN S. PORTER. 

